Animal models of adolescent smoking initiation (UCI, Leslie).
Leslie, F.M., Loughlin, S.E., & Belluzi, J.D. University of California, Irvine.

Using two behavioral models of nicotine reinforcement in rodents, conditioned place preference and self-administration, we have confirmed that there are unique biological influences during adolescence that increase the sensitivity to the addictive effects of tobacco. An increased reinforcing efficacy of tobacco products is evident during early adolescence, with a synergistic interaction between nicotine and acetaldehyde, another major constituent of tobacco smoke. Although older adolescents are less sensitive to the reinforcing effects of tobacco products, greater nicotine-induced behavioral plasticity is evident at this age. The influence of nicotine and acetaldehyde on adolescent hypothalamic-pituitary axis function will also be discussed.